HBO would likely prefer just about any other team to Jacksonville, which doesn’t have a big fan base and doesn’t have a particularly compelling cast of characters heading into training camp. A Maurice Jones-Drew contract dispute could make for an interesting storyline, and there are questions about whether new coach Mike Mularkey will stand by his vow to start Blaine Gabbert over Chad Henne, but this year’s Jaguars don’t appear to be anywhere near as entertaining a Hard Knocks choice as the 2010 Jets, who were the gold standard for turning the training camp reality show into must-see TV.

We keep getting told that there are only a few teams worthy of Hard Knocks, but that is opinion. The fact is that there are 32 teams, each with their own unique character. The Jaguars are as compelling as any—new owner, new coach and staff, a much maligned QB that hopes to improve. MJD, PotRoast, Blackmon….having said that, I hope they turn HBO down.

I don’t really care which team does it. Im a junkie for the NFL and I love being able to look behind the scenes.. Maybe if they aired Hardknocks when the season start instead of during camp it’ll be less of a distraction?

Why wouldn’t the Jags be a good team on Hard Knocks? Simply because they’re in a small market? We have several story lines that if examined, would be interesting:

1. A new owner, who is one of the most unique owners pro football has seen in a while;
2. 31 players coming off Injured Reserve–highest in the NFL last year. Surely, some of those stories are going to be inspiring, hard to watch or even heartbreaking for those guys that don’t make it;
3. The NFL Rushing Title holder, wanting a new contract;
4. A new Head Coach;
5. 3 new WRs who all think they should be the #1 guy–great competition where the rookie is probably the best player;
6. Gabbert seeking to show why he was a #1 guy against a solid QB in Henne trying to revive his career;
7. A dude named Pot Roast with an eye injury telling the younger players to stay out of the bars? That’s something HBO could have fun with!

In short, nobody watches Hard Knocks because their favorite team is the subject. The Jags are a compelling story this year. Would make for great TV.

In August when all we have to watch are terrible pre-season games and the hyenas on ESPN predicting their “surprise team of 2012”, Hard Knocks is a welcome break from that terrible programming. Its football, Americans will watch, regardless of what team.

Why does the media continue to bash the Jags so much about having no fans…Last time I checked they finished in 25th in the league for average attendance. In Front of, Chicago, Arizona, Miami, Oakland, Tampa Bay, St. Louis, and Cincinnati. Can’t make those numbers up.

“doesn’t have a particularly compelling cast of characters heading into training camp”

MJD-The incredibly photogenic and entertaining stud RB who wants a new contract but also wants to start winning.

Gabbert-2nd year QB who has been pronounced a bust trying to prove himself worthy of the 10th overall selection.

Chad Henne-The backup QB who is pushing for a starting spot and redemption after failing to live up to expectations in Miami.

Blackmon-High profile, high draft pick WR trying to help be a savior to the offense and be the next stud WR to enter the league

Terrance “Pot Roast” Knighton-Young DT who is among the best in the league trying to come back from a highly publicized and embarrassing off the field injury to earn that contract that will set him for life.

Tyson Alualu-the shocker 10th overall draft pick trying to show what he can do on a healthy knee to live up to his draft status.

Daryl Smith-The quiet but productive OLB that is recognized as one of the best league and was a leader of the 6th overall ranked defense last season.

There are more, but the point is that there are stories, and you can make them seem compelling. MDS and PFT often choose not to, but someone whose job is to produce entertaining programing (HBO) likely can and will if need be.

What about Buffalo? A WR diva in the making. An old school coaching staff. A young and up and coming defense. A quarterback with something to prove. And Fred Jackson’s story alone would be worth the price of admission.

“HBO would likely prefer just about any other team to Jacksonville, which doesn’t have a big fan base and doesn’t have a particularly compelling cast of characters heading into training camp.”

Shad Khan and his mustache would be the star of the series. He is the first minority to own an NFL team. He moved to America and worked as a dishwasher when he started college. The company he worked for out of college, he ended up buying years later.

They signed Aaron Ross, whose wife will be competing in the London Olympics at the same time that training camp is starting.

They also drafted the most well-known and decorated rookie outside of the two quarterbacks.

I won’t watch Hard Knocks this year unless the Jaguars are on it. I don’t like how the media tries to push their own agendas all the time, and tell us who or what is cool or interesing. I am not a mindless bafoon, let me make up my own mind about the Jaguars or any other team for that matter after I watch them on Hard Knocks, instead of telling me who and what I have to like. Personally, I think this article sucks , and I regret wasting my time reading it.

I am not a Jaguars fan (although I did live in Jacksonville for two years while in the Navy many years ago) but think they would be a great team to spotlight on Hard Knocks. I’d certainly watch it. Let’s be honest, it is HBO and they can make anything fascinating — they made the competition for third-string tight end in Cincinnati exciting a few years ago.

The Jets series was fine and I know it wa svery popular but let’s not hold that up as the gold standard of what makes Hard Knocks a great show. It isn’t the show-boating, profanity-laced tirades of the coach, or the spotlight of NYC that makes the show great. It is giving the fans an unmatched inside glimpse of the struggles of training camp for average players, it is the candor of coaches, and it is the excitement of seeing how a team shapes up over the course of camp. The underlying dramas about hold-outs and star players is one facet but by no means is that required.

I look forward to seeing, if it comes to that, how the Jaguars train (isn’t their training camp right next to the stadium in the sweltering heat of Florida?). Their owner has flair and, at least, quite a bit of novelty. The city and the team and largely unknown so I would be interested in seeing how it is portrayed playing in Jax, etc.

Plus, the rookies are trying just as hard, the coaches are working just as many long hours, and the hits and the mistakes are all the same. It will be great no matter which team is shown.

I would love to see the Cleveland Browns in Hard Knocks. they have interesting young talent this year, they are on the verge of being the next “up and coming” team much like the Texans finally achieved last year. they could use the exposure, they are an original team that most people have forgotten about because they have been mediocre/bad for so long .

Why does the media continue to bash the Jags so much about having no fans…Last time I checked they finished in 25th in the league for average attendance. In Front of, Chicago, Arizona, Miami, Oakland, Tampa Bay, St. Louis, and Cincinnati. Can’t make those numbers up.
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Yet you couldnt out-sell San Diego which is pretty much a threat to get blacked ou every week and move to LA? not sure your little stat there helps your argument.

Kidding aside, I actually like the idea of a season of Hard Knocks with a team like Jacksonville that doesn’t get the attention that most teams do. Should be more about football and less about getting a g.d. snack.

This comments section tells you all you need to know, nobody cares about the Jags.

Care to explain your constant hating of small market teams like the Jags and Seahawks? Would you prefer they do Hard Knocks on your wonderful Raiders?
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Buddy, 95% of NFL fans would rather see the Raiders than the Jags, Seahawks, Bills, Bungals, etc.

MJD is probably the smartest, funniest, player in the league. Gabbert is the coolest, hands down. Pot Roast is pretty entertaining, Posluszny, Britton, Monroe, Mathis, all very bright and interesting. Mel Tucker, John Cullen, Jerry Williams among the more entertaining coaches in the game. Then you have the beat writer side stories with Drunk Tank Tania, and Uncle Vito’s Home Movies.

Jags would be great, and Gabbert on his way to being the most charismatic player in the game. You watch!

This comments section tells you all you need to know, nobody cares about the Jags.

Care to explain your constant hating of small market teams like the Jags and Seahawks? Would you prefer they do Hard Knocks on your wonderful Raiders?
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Buddy, 95% of NFL fans would rather see the Raiders than the Jags, Seahawks, Bills, Bungals, etc.

You don’t have to like it, but that’s just the way it

95%?? Once again Joe you have proved to be the most delusional homer on here

I just don’t understand ALL the Jags bashing. The Jags are still a young franchise in a small market where a lot people in the city grew up as Dolphin,Bucs, or fans of other established teams. Hell I know 5 grown men who are Steelers fans and never been to Pittsburg. People don’t / won’t become fans overnight. The Jags have a strong following here. There stadium is too large for the market, it was built for college football, here in the south that’s still #1. But I guess small minded people think alike. Go JAGS!

Let’s face any team will be fun to watch its the training players get cut and some 6 the rounder makes it ,same story with every team .jags will b ok too Hbo can make a great story our of nothing and khan looks like the guy more hungry for hollywood stardom than winning a SB for his team .

Khan bought that franchise on spec, knowing it would double in value if he could move it to LA. Now it looks like that won’t happen and he’ll have to move it to Oklahoma City, since no one cares in Jacksonville. How many more tarps will they put over the seats this year?